VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has released new details about a deputy-involved shooting in Valdosta that left a 39-year-old woman dead.

The GBI says it is investigating the shooting at the request of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. Denesha Latoria Miller, 39, of Valdosta, was shot and killed during the incident. No officers were injured.

GBI Statement

According to the GBI, two Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputies were working in the area of the 700 block of East Brookwood Drive in Valdosta at about 9:41 p.m. on Sept. 29. The deputies were driving an unmarked LCSO SUV and were wearing clothing and equipment that identified them as law enforcement officers.

The GBI says a woman, later identified as Miller, signaled to the deputies to get their attention. The deputies stopped their SUV as Miller approached them. The GBI says Miller pulled a handgun out within view of the deputies, and law enforcement shot Miller.

Deputies then rendered medical aid to Miller until EMS arrived, according to the GBI. Miller was pronounced deceased at the scene. A handgun was recovered at the scene.

Miller’s body will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy will be conducted.

Valdosta Police Department response

An official with the Valdosta Police Department says the department was also called out Tuesday night to assist. Chief Leslie Manahan released the following statement:

“VPD is receiving numerous media requests about an incident circulating on social media last night around 9:30, that occurred in the city limits. The Valdosta Police Department responded to the incident and provided support only. As we were not the primary agency, or the investigating agency, we will not make any statements in regards to the incident.”

Witness accounts

Neighbors in the area say there was a heavy law enforcement presence in the neighborhood Tuesday night. The family says Miller was a mother of five children. Neighbors say she also went by the nickname “Cole.”

One witness, William Dixon Jr., says Miller was walking down the road when deputies approached her. He says she displayed a gun to show deputies she was armed, and then it went off.

“When they jumped out on her, they just scared her. Spooked her. And she was just trying to let them know she had a firearm on her. And when she pulled it out, it went off,” Dixon said.

Dixon says deputies did not speak to Miller before shots were fired. He also says deputies did not call for an ambulance right away.

“When they called it in, all they reported was shots fired. They never once called no ambulance. They didn’t try to resuscitate her until like 30 minutes later. She was already bleeding out,” Dixon said.

A second witness, Lawrence Gates Jr., said he heard gunshots as he came out of his house.

“I heard gunshots when I’m coming out of the house. And then I came out the streets. I seen a lot of the police coming and this and that. By the time the girl was laid right here, it was pumping and left,” Gates said.

Scene remained active for hours

Dixon says the shooting happened around 9 p.m., and Miller’s body remained at the scene until about 1 a.m.

“Because I was out here for the whole time. So that’s not a rumor that people just spread. That’s not a rumor. That body laid out here until 1 a.m.,” Dixon said.

WALB obtained video of the aftermath of the incident from a witness.

Community reaction

Dixon says he wanted the shooting recorded because he did not trust law enforcement’s account of what happened.

“Because we need somebody to speak up. They would have lied. They would have covered it up. They would have said it didn’t go down like that. They would have said she shot at them. And that’s not how it went,” Dixon said.

Dixon described Miller as a familiar face in the neighborhood.

“Every last one of us important. She mattered just like every last one of us. Nobody bigger than nobody,” Dixon said.

The claims from witnesses at the scene have not been verified by law enforcement.

Investigation ongoing

Neighbors and Miller’s family say they want answers about what happened. WALB has reached out to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office for comment; the office has not responded. WALB has also requested bodycam and dashcam footage of the incident, as well as the initial incident report.

The GBI says the investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Thomasville at (229) 225-4090. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling the GBI Tipline at 800-597-TIPS (8477), online at gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or through the See Something, Send Something mobile application.

Once the investigation is complete, a copy of the case file will be provided to the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

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